CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College women's basketball team fell 98-71 in its Gulf South Conference opener to Union University. MC moved to 2-3 on the season while UU improved to 6-1 on the campaign.
TURNING POINT
Tiffany Rechis' 3-pointer with 4:37 left in the second quarter placed Union up 21 points, 42-21.
KEY STATS
Kelley Allen turned in her sixth, career double-double in her debut this season. The Puckett, Miss., native posted a team-best and career-high 29 points and grabbed 13 rebounds – three of matching her career-best. The point total surpassed her previous mark of 23 set last season against North Alabama
Zan Ratcliffe equaled her season-high with 14 points in the setback. The Taylorsville, Miss., product recorded her season-best on Nov. 25 against Southern-New Orleans.
Chelsey Shumpert led Union with 31 points. Five Lady Bulldogs totaled double figures in the contest. Anna Lea Little grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds and posted 11 points for a double-double in the decision.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A close contest through the first quarter, Union grabbed its first double-digit lead of the game early in the second quarter on a layup from Shumpert as the Lady Bulldogs held a 27-17 lead. UU marched its advantage to 21 points with 4:37 left before the intermission on a 3-pointer from Tiffany Rechis as she scored 20 points in the contest.
The Red and White took a 52-36 lead in at the break after Shumpert hit three, consecutive free throws with a tick left on the clock.
MC cut the lead to 52-42 with on a jumper from Allen with 7:07 left in the third quarter, but couldn't overcome the double-digit deficit. Union grabbed its largest lead of the game, 95-68, with 2:43 left to play on a Shumpert jumper.
NEXT UP
Mississippi College returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 2 as it hosts Christian Brothers University. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. inside A.E. Wood Coliseum.
